Art Gallery of Algoma celebrates 50 years and Group of Seven Day

When the Art Gallery of Algoma opened the doors to its current home, the last living member of the Group of Seven, AJ Casson, was there to cut the ribbon.

During their illustrious 20th century careers, the Group of Seven travelled the country – including the Algoma region – and painted iconic portraits of natural landscapes both local and beyond.

From their trips to Lake Superior, the Sault Ste. Marie area, Wawa, and more, the group’s connection to the Algoma region is strong – and that connection continues today.

In celebration of that, a special birthday party is taking place today at the Art Gallery of Algoma, as July 7 is both the 50th anniversary of the gallery opening its doors and the inaugural Group of Seven Day in Ontario.

With a number of the group’s original paintings still on display, Jasmina Jovanovic said the gallery and the Group of Seven have an “intertwined connection” dating back to its opening.

“They were coming in the 1920s. They were coming every year to paint. In the very first exhibition that this gallery had, before this building was even open, it was actually art by the Group of Seven,” said Jovanovic.

To celebrate the day, the gallery held family art activities earlier this afternoon, with more planned into the evening.

Jacob Valois and Frank Deresti are playing music from 5 to 6 p.m.; an exhibition tour is set for 6:30 p.m., followed by a talk on the Group of Seven in Algoma, and birthday cake for the gallery’s 50th year.

Indigenous art activities will also be held by Lucia Laford – with supplies provided – from 7 to 9 p.m.

Looking back on its 50 years in operation, Jovanovic said the gallery couldn’t have become what it is today without the community’s support.

“The credit has to be given to the community. There was support in the community, starting with the very first board,” she said.

“That’s how we survive.”

Having direct ties to Canada’s most famous group of painters, however, has not hurt.

“Being in Algoma actually helps us because, to this day, contemporary artists also come and paint here because the Group of Seven left this legacy,” she said.

“This is the place.”